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A BILL PUT forward by AAA-PBP TD Bríd Smith to change the penalty for an abortion to a €1 fine has been defeated in the Dáil this evening.
Currently the penalty for a woman in Ireland who procures an abortion is 14 years in prison, but the Dublin South Central TD had sought to change that to just a €1 fine.
The bill was voted down by a large majority, with 81 votes against the proposals to 26 for, with 22 abstentions.
Minister for Children Katherine Zappone voted with the government in rejecting the €1 fine.
It is understood that she had sought advice and was informed by the Attorney General that the bill, if passed, would be subject to a successful legal challenge on the basis it was unconstitutional.
The issue was debated in the Dáil on Tuesday. Minister of State for Health Promotion Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy said: “Due to the gravity of the crime, the intentional destruction of unborn human life, and the constitutional protection for the unborn, a maximum of 14 years in prison is considered an appropriate penalty.”
Ruth Coppinger TD called this statement “outrageous” and asked the minister if she “felt embarrassed reading that”.
Smith had claimed that the revelations about the Tuam mother and baby home had reinforced the need for action to be taken on the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution.
Today, women in Ireland are still treated as second class citizens and the barbaric sentence of 14 years imprisonment for accessing an abortion here is a shocking example of this. The Church and the State continue to dictate that women are not allowed to make their own choices as to whether to have children or not.
Yesterday, thousands took to the streets in Dublin and across the country to call for the repeal of the Eighth Amendment.
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$kum . If caught, Send their parents the bill, or take it out of their dole. Would stop fairly quickly
@DMurph: I was listening to a radio show a couple of days ago, and apparently your not allowed to call them $cum anymore, they would prefer if you would refer to them as children under conflict.
It’s not the kids fault, they had tough upbringings.
….blah, blah, blah
@DMurph: …because the children of middle class families are little angels.
@Matt Connolly: you are the first to mention class.
@DMurph: How do you know they are the kids of the unemployed, have you given the info to the Gardai as you seem to know quite well who the kids are? Children of employed people can be skum too.
Skobes will be skobes
Would a curfew be a solution,imposed on children of a school going age ,with financial liability for any damage done put on the parent /parents,?civil liberty comes with civic responsibility.
It’s worth noting that this a lovely area to live generally, with great amenities and close to town. It has become more settled in the last number of years and a home to many new, young families. Therefore it is crucial that this recent spate of arson is dealt with so that we can all return to enjoying the community we live in. Also, locals have been very supportive since the fire and have volunteered their time to the home owner to help her with repairs to her home. A great testament to community spirit in the midst of this very challenging and upsetting behaviour!
Zero tolerance is whats need in this country now if it can be done in N.Y it can be done here!
The bin companies have a role in this particular risk, in requiring that bins be out before 6 am, which leads to putting them out overnight.
Not alone are they a fire risk, but also a footpath obstruction for prams, wheelchairs & sight handicapped persons.
Also, bin day should also be a no parking day, so that the trucks, & other services can clear gutters, drains, & the bins placed off the paths.
Pyromania is an early indication of a sociopath,I do hope it’s not youngsters,what will they develop into ?The Gaurds should have a free rein,and all the resources necessary to bring these people to book ,and the judiciary be given the powers to impose long sentences on them. The one good thing to come out of this incident is that the community gave support to the victim and only the community can cough the perps up.
Sc00mbags
The new bollards erected to cut off traffic between Millbourne and Millmount Ave travelling to Ferguson and Walsh road is going to encourage more anti social behaviour with less traffic in the area to deter these youths from running riot……
Nightmare store of loons who are criminal and will become worse as they get older?
Locals have a very good idea about who is committing these acts, they’ve have been at it for over two years now. Most of the people who live there have been made aware that this is a bad bad sign for things to come. Guards say there is little they can do. With what I hear about the traffic changes there, its going to go only one way with these young people. While Drumcondra is a good place to live, its actions like this, that made me happy when my youngsters moved.
have your say